Bushfire update - all schools to reopen on Monday 18 November.  

Environmental conditions across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, particularly in the Manning Valley area, have continued to be monitored over the weekend. Based on current indications all Catholic schools, St Nicholas OOSH and St Nicholas Early Education services across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will reopen tomorrow, Monday 18 November.

Parents and carers concerned about the wellbeing of their child should use their discretion regarding absence. If there is concern relating to a child’s respiratory or other health related issues please take this into consideration.

If your child is not attending school please notify the school using the normal procedures.

To protect the health of those returning to school, we will constantly monitor air quality and where the conditions are deemed poor, keep students indoors.

The wellbeing and safety of students and their families, as well as staff and broader community is our priority. We understand that events over the past week may cause some students and their families distress.

Student support
If you would like your child to access free counselling through the Catholic Schools Office, please contact your school principal.

Community support
Students and their families may wish to access free and confidential counselling with a psychologist from CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning. To arrange this, please phone 02 4979 1120 and state you are located within a bush fire zone.